Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre reported deputies saved the lives of two men over the weekend by using naloxone. These are the third and fourth instances of deputies using naloxone to save lives in the past four months.

Just after 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 5, deputies found a man convulsing on the shoulder of LA Highway 1 in the 14000 block in Larose. As deputies made contact with the man, he was unresponsive and his breathing was becoming shallow. Deputies observed what appeared to be recent needle puncture wounds on his arms consistent with the use of illegal narcotics. Deputies administered naloxone using an auto-injector. A short time later, the man began to take deeper breaths and become more aware of his surroundings. He was transported to a local hospital for further treatment.

Then at around 4:40 p.m. on Sunday, May 6, deputies responded to a truck plaza in Gray in reference to a medical emergency. Upon arrival, the deputy found a man lying on the ground near the diesel pumps. During the encounter, deputies learned the man had taken heroin. Deputies learned the man had been talking to a friend when he began slurring his speech and collapsed. Deputies observed the man to have a very light pulse, shallow breaths, and constricted pupils. The deputy used a naloxone auto-injector. Within minutes, the man became alert and oriented, and he was transported to the hospital for further evaluation.

There have now been four instances in as many months wherein deputies have used naloxone to save an individual suffering an apparent opioid overdose. The previous incidents occurred in February and March 2018.

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office received naloxone injectors from the Louisiana Department of Health’s Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, as well as vouchers for injectors from the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office. Deputies began undergoing training in December 2017, and many are now carrying agency-issued naloxone injectors to be able to provide immediate treatment in an emergency. Naloxone, which is sold under brand names such as Evzio and Narcan, is used as a temporary antidote to treat an opioid overdose in an emergency. Naloxone blocks or reverses the effects of opioid medication, including extreme drowsiness, slowed breathing, or loss of consciousness.